Summary
School life is an incredibly popular theme inmanga,as it offers many elements that can help tell a story. The setting is great for creating a diverse cast, and school events can be optimal plot devices. It’s also true that a large demographic of manga readers are teenagers in school, making these stories and their protagonists relatable to their main audience.
In addition, fantasy is one of the most popular genres in media because of itsflexibility and the creative freedomit offers. Put together, manga authors and artists are able to craft magical stories about dreams, change, and growth in settings featuring magical schools. These stories are well-loved because they’re familiar yet wondrous, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world.
9Little Witch Academia
A Lighthearted Story About A Young Girl Chasing Her Dreams
InLittle Witch Academia, witches use their magic to help and entertain people. After seeing a performance by the witch Shiny Chariot, Atsuko becomes obsessed with becoming a witch herself. When she’s accepted to Luna Nova, the academy for witches, her dreams come true. The problem is that she can’t actually use magic. Now Atsuko needs to prove she can be a witch.
This lighthearted story features many fun characters. Atsuko is everything a manga protagonist needs to be: energetic, determined, and kind. Despite her rocky position, she’s always looking out for her friends and doing what she believes is right. Because this isn’t really an action manga, there are creative and clever solutions to each conflict.
8Villainess Level 99: I May Be The Hidden Boss But I’m Not The Demon Lord
Being Overpowered Isn’t That Great, And She Knows Why
In the Valschein Kingdom, magic can be measured by a person’s hair color and intensity. Yumiella Dolkness was born with pitch black hair, indicating dark-type magic, which causes others to fear her. When she’s five years old, she gains memories of her past life in Japan and realizes she’s in the world of an Otome game where she becomes the hidden boss. To avoid that fate, she tries to live in the background.
There are many manga that involve reincarnation in Otome games, and they all follow similar plots.Villainess Level 99is much the same, except the main character is different. She doesn’t care about anything as long as she can live comfortably. The story isn’tfocused on romance. It’s about Yumiella coping with being overpowered and living among normal people who fear her.
7Mashle: Magic And Muscles
When The Solution To A Problem Isn’t Magic, It’s Muscles
Magic school manga tend to be similar to each other, butMashledefies expectations with a fun concept. Mash lives in the forest with his father training and gaining muscle, but when his everyday life is threatened, he has no choice but to do something. To gain recognition, he’s going to use his muscles to change society.
First and foremost,Mashleisa gag manga that parodiessimilar stories likeBlack CloverorWistoria. Rather than giving the protagonist a hidden power, the author has him face everything with pure strength. The best parts are when Mash accomplishes things that are literally impossible, like deflecting magic with his hands or kicking his legs fast enough to fly.
6Wistoria: Wand And Sword
An Underdog Story With Some Surprising Twists
Will Serfort is a student at Regarden Magical Academy, and his goal is to move to the Upper Academy to be closer to his childhood friend, Elfaria. However, Will is unable to use magic, so he spends his days being ridiculed and disparaged by his peers. The only way for him to meet the graduation requirements is to hunt monsters in dungeons using a sword.
Underdog stories have always been popular, but manga likeMy Hero Academiahave shown just how fun they can be.Wistoria: Wand and Swordtakes a darker approach to a story about adversity, allowing Will to show his bravery and perseverance. The story is more tense because of the prejudice and discrimination against those who can’t use magic.
5Blue Exorcist
A Teenager Struggles To Cope With The Demonic Side Of His Family
In a world where two dimensions live in balance, exorcists defeat demons to keep people safe. Rin is the son of Satan, the god of demons, and when his adoptive father is killed, he has no choice but to become an exorcist himself. To that end, he attends True Cross Academy’s cram school, aschool for trainee exorcists. to remain a student, his origins must remain secret.
Blue Exorciststarts off like many other fantasy school manga, but the story shines as each character gets their moment in the spotlight. It shows each character’s growth as well as expand on the world outside the school. It’s a great coming of age story with tons of action and exciting moments.
4Soul Eater
The Adventures Of Meisters And Living Weapons
Soul Eatertakes place at Death Weapon Meister Academy, a school founded by Death to train meisters and demon weapons. Maka Albarn is a student at DWMA, and with her partner Soul Eater, she aims to become a great meister like her mother. By feeding Soul 99 evil human souls and one witch soul, he can become a Death Weapon, which is eligible to partner with Death himself.
Soul Eateris best known for its unique art style and premise. The wide variety of characters helps carry the story by showcasing their individual personalities and fighting styles. The school setting helps with the world building, as even background characters display their skills.
3The Eminence In Shadow
An Isekai Manga That’s Unlike Any Other
The Eminence in Shadowis a great subversion of traditional isekai that pokes fun at overused archetypes and plot devices. It follows Cid Kagenou, a seemingly normal child of a noble family, as he attends Midgar Academy for Dark Knights. However, that is merely a facade. He’s also Shadow, leader of the Shadow Garden, an organization created to prevent the resurrection of Diablos.
What makes this manga so funny is the blurred line between what Cid believes is real. His attendance at the academy places him at the center of multiple conflicts, which would make sense for his identity as Shadow. But in reality, it’s all coincidences. Even his interactions with the Shadow Garden are seen as intricate roleplay. It makes the story muchfunnier than it should be.
2Welcome To Demon School! Iruma-kun
One Unfortunate Boy’s New Life As A Demon
Many protagonists find themselves in odd situations, but Iruma Suzuki’s situation is bizarre even by manga standards. Iruma is coerced into being adopted as the demon Sullivan’s grandson after his parents sold him. At his insistence, Iruma begins attending Babyls, a school for demons, where he must hide his identity as a human to avoid being eaten.
Unlike many of the popular manga protagonists in recent years, Iruma isn’t innately skilled or talented. He begins the story as a push-over, and many of his feats are products of accidents and nepotism. However, that’s whymany people love this manga. Iruma’s growth and development are written excellently through fun adventures.
1Witch Hat Atelier
An Award-Winning Manga About Young Witches
Ateliers are studios and workshops for artists, and in this manga, witches are more akin to artists or inventors than traditional spellcasters. Coco, the protagonist, has always been fascinated with magic, but when an accident leaves her homeless, a wandering witch invites her to become his apprentice.
Witch Hat Atelieris a fantastic manga that boasts an incredibly unique portrayal of witches. Rather than wands and tomes, these witches carry sketchbooks and pens. By drawing certain symbols, they can activate their magic. However, it’s not all fun and games. The storycontains many dark themes and ideasthat make the plot even more interesting.
